http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/issue/feedGenus2016-03-03T12:47:33+01:00Graziella Caselligraziella.caselli@uniroma1.itOpen Journal Systems<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB"><span>All material published is protected by copyright. The copyright for the journal and its contents is held by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>University of Rome, “La Sapienza”.</span></span>Genus journalhttp://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/701An introduction2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Filomena Racioppifilomena.racioppi@uniroma1.itRosella Rettarolirosella.rettaroli@unibo.itSalvatore Strozzasalvatore.strozza@unina.itMaria Letizia Tanturritanturri@stat.unipd.itIntroduction to the Thematic Issue2016-02-29T15:25:18+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/702A short personal recollection of Corrado Gini2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Antonio Goliniantonio.golini@uniroma1.it<strong>A short personal recollection of Corrado Gini</strong>2016-02-29T15:26:31+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/671Some un-noticed insights in Gini’s cyclical theory of populations2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Piero Manfredipiero.manfredi@unipi.itGiuseppe Annibale Micheligiuseppe.micheli@unimib.it<strong></strong><p>Is Gini’s cyclical theory only a mess of ideas and data haphazardly borrowed from different disciplines in a naïve search for a “Grand Theory”, or is it an initial attempt to develop a general scheme of population dynamics, in the epoch when Population Mathematics was just taking off? Departing from the severe criticisms levelled at Gini’s approach, we point out that – hidden in Gini’s narrative codes – lie three important legacies, anticipating both the “Cybernetic revolution” and various turning points in the social sciences of the 1960s. Among the latter we include the “method of models”, strictly affine with abductive syllogism, the concept of “structural” interdependence as the trigger of population dynamics, and the dual use - for real populations as well as for interacting ‘factors’- of the concept of “structure”.<strong> <br /></strong></p><p>Piero MANFREDI, Professor of Demography, Department of Economics &amp; Management, University of Pisa, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:piero.manfredi@unipi.it">piero.manfredi@unipi.it</a>.</p><p>Giuseppe Annibale MICHELI, Professor of Demography, Department of Sociology, University of Milano Bicocca, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:giuseppe.micheli@unimib.it">giuseppe.micheli@unimib.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:27:41+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/677Sex imbalances at birth in migratory context: evidence from Italy2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Elena Ambrosettielena.ambrosetti@uniroma1.itLivia Elisa Ortensilivia.ortensi@statistica.unimib.itCinzia Castagnarocicastag@istat.itMarina Attilimaattili@istat.it<p>This paper aims to explore SRB of migrants in Italy in order to shed light on the phenomenon of sex selection at birth. Our objective is to analyze births from mothers with a foreign background from countries where sex selection at birth is widespread and that are among the largest immigrant communities in Italy. In addition our paper aims at assessing what are the possible factors affecting skewed SRB in migratory context. Data stems from the Survey on births from the Resident Population Registers, from Birth Assistance Certificate (CEDAP) dataset for the year 2008-9 collected by the Italian Ministry of Health in Lombardy, and from the First Regional Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health of Migrant Women held in Lombardy in 2010. We perform both descriptive and multivariate analysis. For multivariate analysis we chose Lombardy as a case study, as it is the first Italian region by number of migrants. Results both at the national and at the regional level show skewed sex ratio at birth for migrants originating from India, China and Albania. The phenomenon is more evident for higher-order births in a context of declining fertility associated with new techniques to assess the sex of the foetus.</p><p>Elena AMBROSETTI, Researcher, Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory and Finance, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:elena.ambrosetti@uniroma1.it">elena.ambrosetti@uniroma1.it</a>.</p><p>Livia Elisa ORTENSI, Researcher, Department of Sociology and Social Research, Bicocca University of Milan, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:livia.ortensi@statistica.unimib.it">livia.ortensi@statistica.unimib.it</a>.</p><p>Cinzia CASTAGNARO, Researcher, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (Istat), Rome, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:cicastag@istat.it">cicastag@istat.it</a>.</p><p>Marina ATTILI, Researcher, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (Istat), Rome, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:maattili@istat.it">maattili@istat.it</a>.</p><p> </p>2016-02-29T15:28:51+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/687Educational assortative mating in Italy: what can Gini's homogamy index still say?2016-03-03T12:47:33+01:00Alessandra De Rosealessandra.derose@uniroma1.itRomina Frabonifraboni@istat.it<p class="Maintext">The homogamy index proposed by Gini is applied to describe the changes occurred in marital choice - across time and regions in Italy. The relevant increase in education by women has provoked an increase in the number of homogamous couples and in an increasing proportion of women who marry downward. Relevant differences are observed in the case of informal unions and mixed marriages.</p><p>Alessandra De Rose, Professor of Demography, Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory and Finance, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:alessandra.deroose@uniroma1.it">alessandra.derose@uniroma1.it</a>.</p><p class="Maintext">Romina FRABONI, Senior Researcher, Department of Social and Environmental Statistics, Italian National Institute of Statistics, ISTAT, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:fraboni@istat.it">fraboni@istat.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:30:03+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/668Corrado Gini’s contribution to estimates of Italian military deaths in the First World War2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Alessio Fornasinfornasin@uniud.it<p>In 1926, Corrado Gini published a study which estimated the number of Italian military deaths during WWI. In the same year, the Ministry of War initiated the compilation of the <em>Albo d’oro</em> (Roll of Honour), an ambitious project which aimed to determine the number and record the names of all the military personnel killed during the conflict, and which was not completed until 1964. Referring to Gini’s work, this paper examines the different estimates of Italian military deaths in light of information contained in the <em>Albo d’oro</em>.</p><p>Alessio FORNASIN, Researcher, Department of Economic and Statistics, University of Udine, Italy. E-email: <a href="mailto:fornasin@uniud.it">fornasin@uniud.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:31:16+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/681Foreigners in Italy: reflections on some measurements and analyses by Gini2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Stefania Rimoldistefania.rimoldi@unimib.itGian Carlo Blangiardogiancarlo.blangiardo@unimib.it<p class="Maintext">In the early<strong> </strong>1930s, Corrado Gini proposed two interesting contributions to demographics: “centers” of population to measure concentration / dispersion of inhabitants across the territory (Gini <em>et al.</em>, 1933), and the differentials in marriages between native and immigrant populations (Gini, 1931). In this paper, we intend to test the present validity of these tools in order to analyse the current immigration phenomenon in Italy.</p><p class="Papertitle">Stefania RIMOLDI, Risearcher, University of Milano Bicocca, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:stefania.rimoldi@unimib.it">stefania.rimoldi@unimib.it</a>.</p><p class="Papertitle">Gian Carlo BLANGIARDO, Professor of Demography, University of Milano Bicocca, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:giancarlo.blangiardo@unimib.it">giancarlo.blangiardo@unimib.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:32:37+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/678Modeling transfers of unpaid resources by age and sex within the framework of input-output models2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Emilio Zagheniemilioz@uw.edu<p>This article discusses estimates of time transfers, by age and sex, related to informal childcare and adult care in the United States. Matrices of time transfers estimated from the American Time Use Study (2011-2013) are used to evaluate structural patterns of inequality in time flows by age and sex, and as input for a model of time transfers based on input-output theory. The results indicate that: i) patterns of transfers are unevenly distributed across the life course; ii) the largest flows are downwards, from parents to young children and, secondly, from grandparents to grandchildren, with notable sex differences; iii) a substantial amount of time transfers are intra-generational, to spouses; iv) changes in demand for time from the elderly have a strong leverage on the overall pattern of time flows: doubling the number of people 75 years and older in the US would lead, all else constant, to an increase in total time production that is about 12 times bigger than what would result from doubling the population size in the age group 25-39 years.</p><p>Emilio ZAGHENI, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Washington, USA. E-mail: <a href="mailto:emilioz@uw.edu">emilioz@uw.edu</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:34:05+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/665Sensitivity of model-based human mortality measures to exclusion of the Makeham or the frailty parameter2016-03-01T13:23:47+01:00Trifon I. Missovmissov@demogr.mpg.deLászló Némethnemeth@demogr.mpg.de<p>Adult human mortality is well captured by a gamma-Gompertz-Makeham model that accounts for the exponential increase in individual hazards, the existence of age-independent mortality component, and unobserved heterogeneity in the study population. The article studies the impact of neglecting statistically significant extrinsic mortality or frailty on human mortality measures: aggregate indicators like life expectancy, life disparity, entropy, and the Gini coefficient are little affected while the rates of individual and population aging, the modal age at death, and temporary life expectancy can be substantially distorted.<strong></strong></p><p>Trifon I. MISSOV, Assistant Professor, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany and Institute of Sociology and Demography, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany. E-mail: <a href="mailto:missov@demogr.mpg.de">missov@demogr.mpg.de</a>.</p>László NÉMETH, Guest Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany. E-mail: <a href="mailto:nemeth@demogr.mpg.de">nemeth@demogr.mpg.de</a>.2016-03-01T10:48:25+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/684Selection criteria of partner: comparison between transnational and homogamous couples in Italy2016-03-01T13:23:48+01:00Giuseppe Gabrielligiuseppe.gabrielli@unina.itAnna Paternoanna.paterno@uniba.it<p class="default">The transnational couples growth notably in Italy during the recent past. Bearing in mind the relevant literature, we aim at analysing the patterns of mate selection of such unions in comparison with homogamous ones. We also seek to verify if the exchange theory fit to the Italian context, examining some elements of heterogeneity between the partners (age and occupational differences). Lastly, we try to identify who “gains” and who “loses” in the union and how the distribution of “power” is defined.</p><p class="default">We perform descriptive and multivariate analysis mostly using individual data coming from the 2012 Births and Mothers Sample Survey.</p><p class="default">Main results show the presence of distinctive mate selection patterns of transnational couples, and that a “variant” of the exchange theory can be suitable the case of Italy. In fact, a “bargain” occurs between the partners, but it involves different aspects with respect to the ones quoted in the “classical” hypotheses. The foreign partner “offers” his/her relative youth, while the Italian one “counterbalances” with his/her “ethnic status”, and better occupational characteristics. This “bargaining” can produce a state of inferiority of the foreign partner, even if there is a risk that the latter has been adapted to solutions of convenience.</p><p class="Maintext">Giuseppe GABRIELLI, Researcher, Department of Political Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:giuseppe.gabrielli@unina.it">giuseppe.gabrielli@unina.it</a>.</p><p>Anna PATERNO, Professor of Demography, Department of Political Sciences, University of Bari, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:Anna.paterno@uniba.it">Anna.paterno@uniba.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:35:31+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/689Foreigners in Italy: economic living conditions and unmet medical needs2016-03-01T13:23:48+01:00Annalisa Busettaannalisa.busetta@unipa.it<p>Foreigners in Italy experience specific inequalities in health and in access to health care that overlap with existing geographical disparities. In this study we aim to compare the effects of living conditions on self-perceived unmet medical needs among foreigners living in Italy. In particular, we test several measures of living conditions, and assess whether these measures affect foreigners differently depending on their nationality. The data used for the analysis are from the Italian Special Survey of Income and Living Conditions carried out on households with foreigners in 2009.<strong></strong></p><p class="Maintext">Annalisa Busetta, Researcher, Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:annalisa.busetta@unipa.it">annalisa.busetta@unipa.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:36:48+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/688Residential segregation of foreigners: an analysis of the Italian city of Palermo2016-03-01T13:23:48+01:00Annalisa Busettaannalisa.busetta@unipa.itAngelo Mazzaa.mazza@unict.itManuela Strangesmanuela.stranges@unical.it<p> </p><p>Ethnic residential segregation in Italy is an emerging key question, which will be crucial in the definition and implementation of both urbanistic and social policies. This paper focuses on this phenomenon in the Italian city of Palermo. We use individual data for all the population residing in the city at 31 December 2011, organized by ethnicity and district. Firstly, we describe the spatial distribution and the residential segregation of foreigners in the city, applying many different segregation measures. Among the others, we also apply the Duncan and Duncan dissimilarity index. Finally, we apply a recent methodological approach, which allows reducing the bias of the Duncan’s index and performs better than previous bias reduction techniques, in terms of both mean bias and mean square error.<strong></strong></p><p>Annalisa Busetta, Researcher, Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:annalisa.busetta@unipa.it">annalisa.busetta@unipa.it</a>.</p><p>Angelo Mazza, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics and Business, University of Catania, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:a.mazza@unict.it">a.mazza@unict.it</a>.</p><p>Manuela STRANGES, Researcher, Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:manuela.stranges@unical.it">manuela.stranges@unical.it</a>.</p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></p>2016-02-29T15:38:14+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/685Leaving the parental home in Italy during the economic crisis2016-03-01T13:23:48+01:00Emiliano Sironiemiliano.sironi@unicatt.itAlessandro Rosinaalessandro.rosina@unicatt.it<p>Using the data from the survey “Critical aspects in the work life course in a gender perspective” carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) before the recent economic crisis (2007) and the data from the survey “Youth Project” carried out in 2012 by the Toniolo Institute for Advanced Studies, we analysed a sample of Italian young adults aged between 21 and 29, in order to evaluate the effect of the Great Recession on the intentions to leave the family of origin. Implementing a probit model with sample selection, we found empirical evidence of a relevant impact of the economic downturn on decreasing the intentions of starting an independent life.</p><p><strong></strong>Emiliano SIRONI, Researcher, Department of Statistical sciences, Catholic University, Milan, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:emiliano.sironi@unicatt.it">emiliano.sironi@unicatt.it</a>.</p><p>Alessandro ROSINA, Professor of Demography, Department of Statistical sciences, Catholic University, Milan, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:alessandro.rosina@unicatt.it">alessandro.rosina@unicatt.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:39:55+01:00http://scistat.cilea.it/index.php/genus/article/view/679Self-rated health among disabled persons: the multifaceted relevance of social integration2016-03-01T13:23:48+01:00Elena Piranipirani@disia.unifi.it<p>Previous research has stressed the importance of social networks and participation for maintaining good health at all stages in the life cycle. Evidence specifically for disabled people, or persons more likely to be restricted in their social life and with reduced opportunities for social integration, is very sparse, however. In this study we aimed at assessing if and to what extent different domains of social integration are associated with self-rated health of Italian disabled persons. Empirical analyses were based on the Italian Survey <em>Social inclusion of people with functional limitations</em> carried out by the Italian Institute of Statistics in 2011.</p><p>Our findings show that, more than <em>family</em> or <em>friendship</em> <em>ties</em>,<em> social engagement</em> is a crucial factor in improving disabled Italians’ perception of good health. In addition, we found that the availability of <em>support</em> afforded by social networks, more than social networks themselves, is key to reducing self-rated health inequalities. Finally, all the identified integration domains act in a differentiated way according to individual socio-demographic characteristics. This study highlights the fact that efforts to improve opportunities for disabled persons to engage in social activities and facilitate access to support should receive greater attention from policy makers and, more generally, from the whole community.</p><p><strong></strong>Elena PIRANI, Researcher, Department of Statistics, Informatics, Applications, University of Florence, Italy. E-mail: <a href="mailto:pirani@disia.unifi.it">pirani@disia.unifi.it</a>.</p>2016-02-29T15:41:16+01:00